NFL: Raiders' Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores

LAS VEGAS - Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders, continuing a number shared by several notable players in franchise history.

The decision carries the endorsement of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore No. 15 during his playing years with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960 to 1966.

"He deserves my blessing," Flores said, according to the team website. "Because if he's not the real deal, I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

Flores, 89, praised the young quarterback in strong terms.

"He's perfect," Flores said of Mendoza. "He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can't he do? He does it all. He's fun to watch. Plus, he's a good-looking kid. Like me."

Mendoza responded to the Hall of Famer's comments with appreciation and humor.

"He's more handsome than me," Mendoza said. "But it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider, and how involved the alumni is. I'm so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can't thank him enough."

The Raiders do not retire jersey numbers, and No. 15 has previously been worn by several quarterbacks and wide receivers, including Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn, Gardner Minshew II, Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, arrives in the NFL after a standout collegiate season capped by a signature performance in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19, when he led No. 1 Indiana to a 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami. He sealed the win with a fourth-down diving touchdown.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season at Indiana after transferring from California, where he played from 2023 to 2024.

-Field Level Media/Reuters